Removable valve bridges and valve actuation systems including the same

A valve bridge for transmitting motion from a main event rocker arm to at least two valves in an internal combustion engine comprising:

• a main event rocker interface portion for receiving motion from the main event rocker;
• a first valve interface portion extending from the main event rocker interface portion and including a first valve interface for transmitting motion to a first one of the at least two valves;
• a second valve interface portion extending from the main event rocker interface portion and including a second valve interface for transmitting motion to a second one of the at least two valves;
• the second valve interface portion including an open end;
• and
• a bridge pin disposed in the open end, the second valve interface portion open end permitting removal of the bridge from the bridge pin by movement of the bridge in a longitudinal direction defined between the first valve interface portion and the second valve interface portion.

A system for actuating at least one of two or more engine valves in an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:

• a main event rocker for actuating the two or more engine valves;
• a valve bridge, cooperating with the main event rocker for transmitting motion from the main event rocker to the two or more engine valves, the valve bridge including:
• a main event rocker interface portion for receiving motion from the main event rocker;
• a first valve interface portion extending from the main event rocker interface portion and including a first valve interface for transmitting motion to a first one of the two or more valves;
• a second valve interface portion extending from the main event rocker interface portion and including a second valve interface for transmitting motion to a second one of the two or more valves;
• the second valve interface portion including a slot defined between two prongs and, each prong having a bridge pin engaging surface;
• and
• a bridge pin having a post disposed in the slot and a shoulder engaged by the bridge pin engaging surfaces, the bridge pin post extending through a top surface of the valve bridge.